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FSU baseball: Noles look to stay hot against Duke Blue Devils

By Kelvin Hunt

Florida State University's Reese Albert (23) runs to second base during a game between FSU and Florida International University at Dick Howser Stadium Wednesday, March 20, 2019.Fsu Baseball Vs Fiu 032019 Ts 740
Florida State University's Reese Albert (23) runs to second base during a game between FSU and Florida International University at Dick Howser Stadium Wednesday, March 20, 2019.Fsu Baseball Vs Fiu 032019 Ts 740 /
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FSU baseball (14-6, 4-2 ACC) will get back into ACC play with a three-game series hosting the Duke Blue Devils (11-10, 2-4 ACC) on Friday.

Duke comes into the game after losing by double-digits against William and Mary in midweek action. They lost two of three against North Carolina and Virginia in conference play.

Duke batters are hitting .256 with an on-base percentage of .367 and have hit 27 home runs, 39 doubles, and two triples.

Duke pitchers will enter the contest with a 5.29 ERA, with opposing teams batting .254, with 224 strikeouts and 93 walks in 187 innings. They have allowed 21 home runs.

Defensively, Duke has 21 errors in 21 games for a fielding percentage of .972.

FSU baseball pitchers enter the contest with a 3.61 ERA, with opposing teams batting .213, with 270 strikeouts and 83 walks in 189.1 innings.

FSU batters are hitting .293 with an on-base percentage of .390 and have 25 home runs, 53 doubles, and four triples.

Defensively, FSU has 25 errors in 20 games for a fielding percentage of .968. FSU has played the more difficult schedule with an RPI ranking of No. 7, compared to Duke’s No. 129 ranking.

Key To Victory

FSU starting pitchers Parker Messick and Bryce Hubbart haven’t had their best stuff the last couple of outings, but Ross Dunn has pitched like one of the best pitchers in the nation. Duke isn’t a great hitting team so it’s a series where Messick and Hubbart should be able to get back to dominating.

Duke’s best two starters are Marcus Johnson and Luke Fox, with Johnson’s fastball in the mid to low 90s. His slider is his out pitch, which FSU batters have struggled with when behind in the count. Fox is a lefty that tops out around 90-92 mph. FSU batters will need to continue attacking early in the count and continue their hot hitting from the UCF game. Duke’s bullpen isn’t great, with several guys sporting ballooned ERAs.

Friday’s game will begin at 7 p.m. ET and air on the ACC Network.

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